NBA release statement over Draymond Green’s future with Golden State Warriors star banned after early season ejections
GOLDEN STATE Warriors star Draymond Green is returning to the team after being suspended for over ten games.
The NBA reinstated Green, 33, on Saturday, and he is expected to return to the Warriors on Sunday after serving a 12-game suspension.
Green was suspended by the NBA and was hit with an indefinite ban on December 14 after he struck Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during their game two days earlier.
On Saturday, the NBA released a statement revealing their decision to reinstate Green and how they believe he has "completed steps" to improve his on-court behavior.
"Green completed steps that demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players," the league said in a statement.
The NBA also expressed that he will continue to receive counseling for the remainder of the season.
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"He has engaged in meetings with a counselor.
"And has met jointly on multiple occasions with representatives of the NBA, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association.
"Both of which will continue throughout the season," the statement stated.
Green will rejoin his Warriors teammates on Sunday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
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However, he will not return immediately to game action as Green will reportedly need close to a week to get back into NBA game shape.
After the news of Green had been reinstated, NBA fans took to social media, with many believing the suspension should have been longer.
This fan felt: "The league wasted a great opportunity to send a message to Green. He assaulted another player and only got 12 games. That's just wrong."
Another said: "He should be banned from the NBA."
While a third said: "There is little chance this man has changed."
And a fourth: "He deserves to be banned from the league."